Chapter 7
Leon and Percival walked through the tunnel "What do you think is the end of this?" asked Leon. He was expecting something big. Something big must be coming soon. They can't go thought all this for nothing big to happen.
"Do you think we've been down here before?" asked Percival, he looked around seeing if he could recognized anything. Nothing seemed familiar to him but within these caves he didn't think anything could surprise him anymore.
"I don't know what to think anymore – the whole world has turn on its head." Said Leon "I can't see how it could be possible…I can't see how any of this is possible…." Leon wanted to leave this place as soon as he could. He hated the idea of being trapped forever. He would face any punishment Arthur may have. But, knowing Arthur he wouldn't punish them for going into the cave.
They walked and walked and Leon was being to think that this was just like the walked he and Merlin had done. Maybe they would just have to walk until they had reached the end. But as soon as that thought enter this head, his dismissed it at once. It had to be something else. Something that he and Percival have to do…something they have to face.
Percival stopped suddenly, making Leon almost bumped into him "I think I see someone," he said
Leon looked and it did look like a person. He couldn't see who it was as it was standing in what looked like fog. He looked closer, thinking it could be Gwaine or Merlin but he couldn't tell. "I am guessing we have to see who that is."
"Could be the dead Merlin," said Percival holding the rusty sword tightly.
"I would be glade if it was him." Said Leon. At least then they could beat him if necessary. They walked more slowly and more carefully than before. The closer they got the more the figure come into focus. He was wearing red – Camelot red.
"Gwaine?" question Percival more to himself, but then he realised who it was. It wasn't Gwaine "Lancelot?"
Leon didn't believed his eyes. Lancelot was there in front of them. He looked strange – almost like looking at water. But he was there in front of them. "Yes it me," said Lancelot with a small smile. "And yes, it really me. And yes, I can prove it." He looked at Percival "You once told me when you were a kid you took a pig into the house. Your mother was mad about the mess the pig made. And your dad thought it was the funniest thing that had ever happen."
Percival blink, he had only ever told Lancelot of that story. Only the real Lancelot would know it.
Lancelot carry on talking, "And yes, you both been here before – never together. And yes we had this talked before. And yes I am dead ….I am here as a guide."
"Guide us to what?"
"The next part of you journey," said Lancelot at once.
Leon and Percival looked at each other "And it has to be us here?" asked Percival
Lancelot nodded his head. "It's seems like it, I mean Gwaine and Merlin have been down here too, but I think their journey is taken them down the other route. You two are meant to be here or Gwaine and Merlin are meant to be where they are."
"Don't you know?" asked Leon disappointedly "Can you tell us anything?"
"I am telling you what I know," said Lancelot tiredly "It may not be as much as you like but is something." Lancelot led them down some stone steps to an underground lake. The water was shining and bright – it looked out of place deep in a cave. "This water is like a passage to the afterlife." Lancelot said "It an interesting place. Meet quite a few interesting people."
"We have to talk to the dead?" asked Leon feeling uneasy.
"You are already talking to me," pointed out Lancelot. That was true Lancelot was dead and they were talking to him.
"Who are we going to talk to?" asked Percival
Lancelot shrugged a little "It changes every time," he said "Some have pop up more than once." Lancelot nodded towards some stones. There were a glow about them. "Throw one in and have a chat."
"Is that it?" asked Leon
"That's it," said Lancelot
Percival paused for a long moment "What are we going to chat about?"
Lancelot again shrugged "It changes each time. It's a pity you can't remember it all. Some of the conversation have been one of a kind…." Lancelot paused again "And, think before you speck. You may learn things you don't want too….but remember… we are all on the same side. Loyal to Arthur and Camelot."
Leon picked up one of the stones. It was heavier than it looked. He walked closer to the water and threw it in. The water began to glow and someone come up from the water. It was a young girl with dark hair. She walked on to the bank and looked at the two of them – she looked disappointed. She haven't wanted to see them.
"Hello," said Leon
"Hello, Sir Leon," said the Girl "And hello, sir Percival…."
They was a moment of silences. "You wanted to see someone else." Said Leon.
The girl nodded her head slowly. "Yes," she agreed. "Guess, it wasn't meant to be."
"Gwaine or Merlin?" asked Percival,
The girl smiled a little, "Merlin," she said. Leon and Percival looked at each other. Had Merlin ever mention a girl that died? They hadn't thought so. But it seemed they didn't know Merlin as well as they thought they did, Merlin seem to have a lot of secrets.
"What is your name?" asked Leon friendly
"Freya," said the girl. She looked at Leon "You do not recognize me – I come to Camelot once. In chains and cursed. Merlin helped me."
Leon frowned trying to remember but he couldn't, so he asked "How did Merlin help you?"
The girl smiled "He freed me, and I had my freedom. It didn't last long but…. I was free. He shouldn't have done it. If he was caught then he would been in a lot of trouble. He risk everything to save me."
That sounded like Merlin thought Percival – he wonder how close they had been and how long they had known each other. "How did you die?" he asked. From what Freya said she died shortly after she freed – and Percival guessed Merlin would have been there too.
The girl looked at the floor for a moment and looked up, "I was cursed. I turn to something not human….everyone was scared to me - everyone apart from Merlin. But I turned and I was killed. Because I was a monster and I had hurt people. I didn't mean too...I didn't want too..."
Leon then remembered Freya. So Merlin had been the one who freed her and let her go. He had been one of the knight who was order to hunt her down. "I'm sorry," he said. He didn't know the background story - he never asked.
"You are not to be blamed." Said Freya "I do not blame anyone."
Leon stilled felt bad. "Why not?" he asked. If anyone hunted him down to kill him he didn't think he could have the same attitude.
"I had hurt people." Said Freya calmly "And the king wanted to protected them. That was good of him. A king that's protects." Freya paused for a moment "And you were following orders. You didn't know me. You didn't know my story." Leon didn't feel much better. "You are a good man, Sir Leon. I have seen many bad men – and you are one of the goods ones." Freya looked back at the water of the lake. "I have to go back…."
"Do you want us to pass on a message to Merlin?" asked Percival quickly.
Freya smiled "He knows I am alright." She said with a secret smile.
"Okay," said Leon and he watched as Freya renter the Lake and disappeared into the water.
"She seem nice," said Percival more to himself.
"You didn't see what she could turn into," said Leon quietly. He had seem many thing other the years but knowing a human could turn into a monster was a scary thought. "Guess Merlin saw pass that."
"It's takes a lot to freak Merlin out," said Percival picking up a stone. "Guess, we'll see who is next." Percival then throw the stone into the water. Again the water began to glow and another young women come out.
"Who's that?" asked Leon not recognising them
Percival blinked for a moment "My sister, Arwen." he said faintly. Arwen was the sister closest to him in age – and they would spend a lot of time playing together in the village where they grow up. Memories come back to Percival – little things but it made him miss her some much.
"It's good to see you again," said Arwen with a smile
"And you," said Percival. He couldn't think anything to say.
Arwen smiled – she seemed to know what was going in Percival mind. "I am glade it is you this time." She said. "You're friend, Gwaine seems like an interesting person." Arwen step a little closer. "You at you. A knight. Who would have believed it? And Arthur. Is he a good person?"
Percival nodded his head. "Yes," he said "One of the best."
"Good," said Arwen.
"I have to tell you about father." Said Percival – he needed to tell her this.
Arwen smiled again. "I know, brother." She said. "You can stop hating yourself now."
Percival looked at his sister for a moment "You are not angry? Or cross?" He almost wanted her to be cross with him. He almost wanted to hear her shout at him. "I couldn't save him…I couldn't save you."
"I am dead, I do not have much time to be angry about things." Said Arwen. "You can no protect everyone, Percy." Arwen looked around her "I can tell you off – if you really want me too. But that doesn't sound like much fun."
Percival paused for a moment. "Are you happy – in… in afterlife?"
"It is peaceful." Said Arwen "You don't have to worry about us. We are all okay. We just want you to be the best knight possible." Percival nodded his head "I have to go back."
"Now?" asked Percival "You haven't been here long."
"That might feel like that for you." Said Arwen "I will see you one day, Brother. But not too soon. You got lot of heroic deeds to do first." With that she walked away.
Percival didn't know what he feel. At the moment he didn't know if we felt happy or sad. Maybe he felt a mix of both. Percival didn't really want to talk about his sister and turned to throw another stone in. But when he turned they were gone. "Where's the stones?"
"I do not know." said Leon he looked towards Lancelot "What now? Asked Leon "Why are we here?" he asked "These chat… I can't see how they are important. I can't see what we need to get out of them. I don't see why we have done this more than once with no memory."
Lancelot nodded his head slowly "So, What did you learn about Freya?"
Percival spoke up "That she was cursed and Merlin helped her escape Camelot…..I think they might of love of other – Or at least Freya loved Merlin." Percival paused for a moment, "Did Merlin ever tell you?" he asked. Lancelot was the knight that knew Merlin the best.
"No," said Lancelot "Merlin's good at keeping his secrets. And they are normally reason behind them…. But I trust Merlin. But he's too loyal for his own good and used to doing things himself." Lancelot paused "You can't keep him out of trouble – but you can try…." Percival could have sworn Lancelot gave him a look. Maybe Lancelot knew Percival knew about Merlin's magic? Or maybe Lancelot knew Percival would keep his eyes on the manservant. Lancelot carried on talking "And…What about Arwen?"
"That she didn't blame me who not saving her," said Percival "Or our father…."
Lancelot turned to Leon. "What did you learn?"
Leon thought for a moment. "That I should feel guilty doing my job." He said. "Do you think that's includes coming into this cave?"
"I think so," said Percival at once.
Lancelot smiled. "Look," he said. Leon and Percival turned to look. They was a new tunnel. "I haven't seen that. Maybe you did something right this time."
"We can move on?" asked Leon at once.
Lancelot nodded his head. "And this is where I leave you." Lancelot looked at the lake and turn back to his friends "I wish you luck."
"Do you know what's ahead?" asked Percival
"I wish I knew," said Lancelot. "It is good to see you – my friends." Lancelot took some steps back into the lake. "I wish I could join you…" Lancelot took another step into the lake. "Will you two listen to Merlin more? When I saw him he was complaining about it."
"I for one will listen to him more," said Percival and Leon nodded his head.
Lancelot smiled. "I'll see you again…one day." With that he was back in the cave.
Leon and Percival paused for a moment of silence. Then they went on their way.
Next chapter will be what Gwaine and Merlin were up to.